Attorney General's 2006 Photo Gallery
Nixon touts ethanol as benefit to farmers, environment
February 16, 2006 Attorney General Nixon tours the Mid-Missouri Energy ethanol plant in Malta Bend on Feb. 16; he was joined by state Rep. Joe Aull of Marshall. General manager Billy Gwaltney explains to Nixon how some of the equipment operates. The 729-member producer cooperative processes nearly 20 million bushels of corn into ethanol annually. Gwaltney told Nixon that in addition to the plant generating a renewable fuel source and reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil, the byproduct from the process is refined into a high quality animal feed used in livestock and poultry operations throughout the state. Nixon said the plant, which employs 38 people, is a perfect example of value-added agriculture that benefits rural Missouri, farmers, consumers, the environment and the nation.